Day 131

9/22/22

Happy Fall! To all who cherish the changing of the seasons, this is a special day.

Gus and I were walking by the river this morning when I noticed the silence surrounding us. We had caught a moment when there were no mowers growling, no human voices chatting, and no cars humming by. What I also realized was that there were no birds calling. We stood in the silence for a minute or more before I heard the call of a blue jay and the bark of a distant dog. The song birds, robins, and other summer friends had left as if by magic.

The spell was broken, so we continued on our way. There was honking from above so, once again, we paused to take in the changing of the season. A flock of geese were aloft and heading in a southerly direction. As we watched, the formation changed to allow the leader to head back for a rest as a new guide took over. I always count the geese and am pleased when there is an even number. They mate for life and I don't want anyone to be sad.

As the leaves begin to fall, I find myself reminiscing about this season when I was a child. My first thought is of getting prepared to go back to school. There were always new shoes (penny loafers), a few added outfits and a new lunchbox! Oh, the excitement of choosing that metal container!

As for school supplies, I can still smell the plastic Nifty Folder, sharpened pencils, 120 Crayola crayons and that paste we had instead of glue. It all was so very wonderful!

I also remember the early evenings when the sun would set before we were ready to say goodbye to the neighborhood gang. There was a return to piano lessons, dance lessons, Girl Scouts and Sunday School, so the freedom of summer disappeared.

Saying farewell to summer has morphed into a different set of anticipations at my age. I love the cool, crispness of the air and the gorgeous leaves as they turn and fall. I also look forward to comfort food and cozy gatherings by the fireplace. For me, it is a time of reflection, as the sun tends to dictate my walking and I find myself home earlier each evening.

I love fall, but then I enjoy the other seasons as well. They all hold special joy and excitement. If I asked my goldens which season they love most, I believe they would choose autumn. Sitting on the front porch, in the cool air, with their family close at hand seems to be their favorite place to be...I couldn't agree more!